My Thoughts on Surah Al Naml — Part I
The Stories of Musa عليه السلام and Salih عليه السلام
Motivation
This article is an attempt to share the things I find absolutely mind-blowing about this one Surah. I have tried to present these thoughts of mine only to motivate other students of the Book so that we return back to the appreciation of the Book, and be seekers of the never-ending treasures of the word of God.
Story 1 — Moses
The story begins with Moses traveling with his family. He sees a fire and says to his family that there might be some people there who could help him by providing him a torch from the fire there — or they probably could tell him something about the whereabouts.
The language tells us that Moses AS is looking for some kind of guidance or sustenance for his family and seems to be lost in the night of the desert.
Two Miracles
As he reached the fire, to his surprise, Allah talks to him directly, and to affirm him, Allah shows Moses AS two divine miracles.
First Miracle
Allah asks Moses to throw his staff. As soon as he throws the staff, it turns it into a snake — which naturally instills a sense of fear in Moses. Allah tells Moses not to fear, and that he is in the presence of Allah.
Second Miracle
Allah asks Moses to put his hand in the opening of his garment, and it comes out shining white!
2 out of 9 Miracles
Allah says that these are among the nine divine signs we showed toward Pharoah and his nation.
Good and Evil & Names of Allah
It is worthy of notice that between the ayahs of the two visual miracles, Allah comments about good and evil briefly. The names of Allah that follow after this comment is Al-Ghafoor (غَفُورٌۭ) and Al-Raheem (رَّحِيمٌ)ۭ
How was their End?
He was asked to go to the Pharaoh. When the signs were shown to the Pharaoh and they still denied it, they were punished and drowned in the sea.
Story 3 — Salih
Two Factions
Allah speaks about the prophet Salih AS who was sent to Hud — When he delivered God’s message, their nation fell into two factions.
Good and Evil & Allah’s two acts
Salih AS talks to them and asks why do you prefer evil over good, and says that if they would ask for forgiveness they may receive love and mercy.
Bad Omen
Allah also talks about what they used to say to Salih AS that he was a bad omen to them whenever he tried to warn them.
9 Family Heads
Allah talks about the corruption of the nation and that there were some family heads who were corrupting the land, and were not making things right.
How was their End?
When they did not take heed of the message, they were also destroyed.
A Deeper Look at the First and the Third Stories
Correlation between the stories of Moses AS and Salih AS:
Good and Evil & Names of Allah
In the section of Moses’s story, Allah speaks that if someone wrongs and then substitutes it with good, then Allah is Al-Ghafoor (غَفُورٌۭ) and Al-Raheem (رَّحِيمٌ)ۭ
There are two things that prophet Salih AS mentions to his nation: why do you go after what’s wrong, before what’s good? And If you ask for Forgiveness and Allah will show Love and Mercy.
If you notice: even the words are exactly the same for good and evil, and the names of Allah, and the act of doing that.
Two Miracles
There are two miracles mentioned in the story of Moses.
The staff turns into a snake and the hand becomes vibrant with light.
There is also a mention of two things in the story of Salih AS — and these are the mention of the two factions that become when Salih AS starts preaching.
9 Good Miracles vs 9 Evil Family Heads
There are 9 Xs mentioned in the story of Moses AS — There are 9 Xs mentioned in the story of Moses AS
In the story of Moses AS, the X can be substituted with the divine Signs of Allah, and in the story of Salih AS, the X can be substituted with evil family heads.
How was their End
In the story of Musa AS, Allah says to see — how bad was their finality.
And similarly, in the story of Salih AS, Allah says to see — how bad was the finality of what they were plotting.
